Montagu Private Equity has today agreed to the sale of HCT Shaping Systems SA to Applied Materials, Inc. The transaction is expected to complete during August 2007. Applied materials, Inc. is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panels, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass.

HCT is a world leader in the supply of precision wafering systems principally used in manufacturing crystalline silicon substrates for the solar and semi-conductor industries. HCT is based in Cheseaux in Switzerland and employs over 180 people.

The CEO of HCT, Stefan Schneeberger, said that "The acquisition of HCT by Applied Materials is a very important strategic milestone for the business and will enable HCT to accelerate its product road map and deliver a wider set of services and products to our customers. We believe that HCT has a very exciting future under the ownership of Applied Materials".

Montagu was the majority shareholder of HCT and was advised by Sal Oppenheim (Zurich) and Baker & McKenzie (Geneva) on the transaction.